CHANDLER, Ariz. – Jazz Appreciation Month will fill Chandler’s special events calendar in April with activities from live music to children’s activities. There are events happening throughout the city, including the Chandler Jazz Festival, the Jazz on the Move and Young Artist Jazz Showcase concert series, and activities at Chandler Museum and Chandler Public Library.
The full schedule of events is available at Chandler Jazz Appreciation Month.
The musical themed month kicks off with the Chandler Jazz Festival, April 4-7, featuring local and national artists. There will be bands playing throughout Downtown Chandler during all four days of the festival. The locations for the sidewalk bands are in front of d’Vine Gourmet, Saba’s Western Wear, Crust Simply Italian and in Dr. A.J. Chandler Park West. All venues are within walking distance of each other. On Thursday, April 4 and Saturday, April 6, there will also be performances at New Square, located between Arizona Avenue and Oregon Street, north of Chicago Street.
On Saturday, April 6, there will be even more music from local and national artists at the Main Stage, located at Dr A.J. Chandler Park: Stage Plaza, 178 E. Commonwealth Ave.
Live jazz music can be enjoyed at the following times:
- Thursday, April 4: New Square and sidewalk bands from 5:30-7 p.m.
- Friday, April 5: Sidewalk bands from 5-7 p.m.
- Saturday, April 6: Sidewalk bands from 2-4:30 p.m.; New Square from 3-5 p.m.; Main Stage as follows:
5 p.m. | Nash Vocal Jazz Ensemble
6:10 p.m. | Brandon Sanders Quartet
7:30 p.m. | Cocomama
9:05 p.m. | The Power Trio
- Sunday, April 7: Sidewalk bands from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Event attendees are encouraged to visit one of Downtown Chandler’s many restaurants and bars before and after they listen to their favorite bands. On Saturday at the Main Stage, there will also be vendors selling food and non-alcoholic beverages. Guests can bring their own blankets and lawn chairs on Saturday, as well as sealed bottled water and snacks. Alcohol is prohibited at the Main Stage. See Chandler Jazz Festival for more details on what to bring.
The community is invited to continue the jazz celebration throughout the month, in a variety of locations.
Jazz on the Move is a concert series that will bring live music into Chandler neighborhoods. These Tuesday and Thursday evening performances will take place on the following dates and locations from 5:30 - 7 p.m.
- Thursday, April 11 – Beth & Jazz Con Alma, Chandler Museum, 300 S. Chandler Village Dr.
- Tuesday, April 16 – Ioannis Goudelis Trio, Sunset Library 4930 W. Ray Road
- Thursday, April 25 – Adam Clark Quartet, Veterans Oasis Park, 4050 E. Chandler Heights Road
- Tuesday, April 30 – Mike Ozuna Trio, San Marcos Elementary School, 451 W. Frye Road
On Tuesday, April 11, the Chandler Museum will extend their operating hours to 7:30 p.m. so attendees can visit the Museum Store and their perfectly themed exhibition, Shutter and Sound: The Jazz Photography of Bob Willoughby, on display April 6 through May 26.
Come to the concert on April 16 at Sunset Library for Family Storytime Jazz, perfect for cool kitties ages 5 and under. The fun starts at 6 p.m. Complete your evening with crafts on the library patio, a a walk around Sunset Park to read the story walk or play musical instruments in the Music Garden.
New this year, a Jazz Appreciation Month activity booklet will be available at all events. Kids and adults can participate by completing the jazz-themed activities. Everyone who returns it to the Jazz on the Move event on April 30 will be entered into a drawing for an art kit – the winner must be present to win.
Up and coming artists are not left out during Jazz Appreciation Month. You won’t want to miss the talented musicians from area high schools during the Young Artist Jazz Showcase concert series at Dr. A.J. Chandler Park West, 3 S. Arizona Ave. Performances will be held on Wednesday evenings from 5:30-7 p.m.
- April 10 – Basha Varsity Jazz Band
- April 17 – Perry High School Jazz I
- April 24 – Band TBA
The music theme doesn’t end there. Chandler Public Library is hosting events suited for preschoolers to adults. All four library locations will be in the groove with fun activities like the Memory Lane Jazz Movie Sing-a-long at Hamilton Library on April 19 from 10-11 a.m.
The Downtown Library is home to a special Our Stories: Charles Lewis and the Arizona Jazz Experience on April 27 from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Charles Lewis has delighted audiences in Phoenix since the 1950s. He began his career by playing at the South 7th Avenue Elks Club in Phoenix, now a historic African American landmark. Lewis formed his own band, The Charles Lewis Quintet, and he will share his story in context of the Arizona jazz scene and perform for the audience.
For details and more events, visit Chandler Jazz Appreciation Month.
Jazz Appreciation Month is presented by the City of Chandler, Downtown Chandler Community Partnership, Chandler Public Library, Chandler Center for the Arts, Chandler Museum and The Nash.
Media contact:
Toni Smith
City of Chandler, Marketing and Communications Manager
480-782-2701